UK warship to lead Nato's piracy patrols

HMS Chatham will lead Nato operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Horn of Africa and Somali Basin, waters now synonymous with piracy.

Three vessels – including two UK ships – were seized last week alone. Among those being held in Somalia are British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler, whose yacht was hijacked in October.

HMS Chatham and her 250-strong crew will be deployed for seven months as UK flagship to a Nato group that includes vessels from Spain, Turkey, Greece and the US.

The type 22 frigate will also be the lead vessel for Nato's counter-piracy operations off Somalia.

Commander Simon Huntington, the ship's commanding officer, said: "We are firmly focused on the task ahead and are now eager for HMS Chatham to take on this important role, which we have spent many months preparing for."